A dish from M.F.K. Fisher

Omelette aux Fines Herbes

Fisher's softly set herb omelette, the dish she used to argue that cooking is a matter of attention, not technique.

Serves 1–2

By M.F.K. Fisher

Fisher wrote that an omelette is the test of a cook because it demands nothing but timing and nerve. Her version is barely colored, folded loosely, and full of chopped fines herbes.

Ingredients

Dairy & Eggs

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tbsp butter

Spices & Seasoning

  • salt and pepper

Other

  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp fines herbes

Method

  1. Beat the eggs with the water, a pinch of salt, and the chopped herbs just until the yolks and whites are combined.

  2. Heat the butter in a small skillet until it foams but does not color.

  3. Pour in the eggs and stir them with a fork while shaking the pan, so they set in soft curds rather than a firm sheet.

  4. When the omelette is barely set and still creamy on top, fold it in thirds and slide it onto a warm plate. Serve at once.

Adapted from The Art of Eating. View a published recipe at NYT Cooking (opens in a new tab)

Served at

The harvest table · Sonoma, California

More by M.F.K. Fisher